Japan, Youth Culture, Travel, Anthropology, Geeky Stuffs, Technology, Anime, Manga, Otaku Culture, Cosplay and More!
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Anime Music videos; they're a pretty controversial topic in the media community. Some people find them to be a fantastic way to further anime production and export to countries around the world. Many also find it to be an excellent medium for expression and indeed it is a fantastic way to master video editing, but tons of copyright conflicts exist in the world of the anime music video maker. Anime music videos, by default, are automatic copyright infringement for two reasons. The first infringement case involves the unauthorized use of footage in compositions, and the second involves the use of music that is usually the property of an artist other than the creator of the AMV. It's easy to see why people get up in arms about this, but I'm going to admit to you right here and now that I love AMVs and I hope very much that people continue to be allowed to make them for non-profit purposes. As long as you're not making money from your AMV, I don't see why we shouldn't be making them and furthering the medium. Of course, many people will disagree with me, but it's my personal opinion and I will stand by it.
That being said, here are two of the best projects I've seen in a long time. The first is a collaborative piece (many segments from many creators put together by a master editor) by Strawberry Kiss Studio of Re-Evolution Studios. Re-Evolution Studios seems to be an international gathering of Anime Music Video artists on Youtube. It's pretty cool. The editing is fantastic.
The next project I'm going to share is actually not an anime music video, but a pretty neat art project done by Kama152a. It's really sweet!
Gaijin Geek Girl who dabbles in photography, cultural anthropology, film, blogging, dance and web design. I have a B.A. in Anthropology and am currently working on a Communications/Media Degree. My interests include youth culture, and cultural misconceptions about Japan in the United States generated by internet information sources. I live in Tokyo with my co-adventurer and husband Brian (Codename Richard Jones) - a 6'4" explorer who enjoys film, food, music, playing the drums, and Bruce Willis Films.
Some Recommended Books about Japan and Japanese Culture
*Confucius Lives Next Door (T.R. Reid 1999): pay attention to Reid's look into Confucian morals and teachings as they play a part in Japanese society. His insight into the cultural facets of everyday life is brilliant.
*Kickboxing Geishas: How Modern Japanese Women are changing their Nation(2007 by Veronica Chambers): a fascinating, personal text about women in Japan who are making changes and strides, in their own way, towards equal rights for women in Japan (particularly in the workplace). As Chambers says, "A new breed of women is breaking through the "rice paper ceiling" of Japan's salary-man dominated corporate culture." A must-read for women hoping to travel to or live in Japan.
*National Geographic Traveler, Japan (3rd edition 2008): National Geographic has always been a staple of travel literature, and this guide is no exception. Although it focuses on the major tourist sites around Japan, this guide makes the effort to give the traveler much more in depth information and insight into the culture of the Japanese than your average travel guide. It also includes a few lesser-known destinations and some fantastic ethnographic photography.
* The Tokyo Look Book (2007 by Philanoma Keet): "Tokyo: the home of the most creative and stylish fashion around. Meet the people who wear the clothes and the people who make them, in this dazzling photographic journey through the streets of the world's most fashionable city." This text is a great look into the lives of Tokyo's fashion group members, and since it's well-written by an anthropologist I give it my full stamp of approval! Amazing photography makes this book really stand out.
Some Recommended Anime (and suggested age ratings)
Akira: a legendary classic. Sci fi action meets the apocalypse. (18+ content. violence/issues).
Chobits: robots, humans, and the relationships between them in modern Tokyo. (18+ content. a pervy protagonist).
Cowboy Beebop: credited with bringing anime into the ultra-popular state it's in today. cowboy bounty hunters in space. (16+ violence/adult themes)
Excel Saga: if you've watched a lot of anime, you'll appreciate the references and silly jokes. A little wierd, for sure, but a fun watch. (18+ themes).
Ghost in the Shell: another staple film of anime watchers. Cyber-punk plot that questions the concepts behind robotic-intelligence ethics. (18+ violence/nudity).
Gundam Wing: political intrigue, mecha, drama and high-octane action in this 90's gundam series. (13+ mild violence).
Macross Plus (1994): a fantastic continuation of the series in this beautifully animated mecha film (with cyber-punk elements). (18+ violence/themes)
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya: The story of a girl who has always believed she was special, and indeed, her powers make her a high-school girl-force to be reckoned with! Sci Fi, Comedy, Drama, and fun rolled into one! (16+ issues)
My Neighbor Totoro: a family film by the legendary Hiyao Miyazaki. A forest-spirit fairy tale for all ages.
Princess Mononoke: In my opinion, this is Miyazaki's masterpiece. Shinto Mythology meets this adventurous tale of a young man who must save the earth from destruction. (A fantastic tale for anyone, but 18+ due to some graphic violence and strong issues.)
Samurai Champloo: set in pseudo-historic Japan to a fictional, hip-hop-driven, samurai plot. (16+ for violence/blood).
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